Sunglasses as Part of Standard Equipment?

by **AnonEmous** » Fri Jan 20, 2012 11:36 pm

I read this here a few years ago about sunglases providing specific advantages in many situations....http://survivalcache.com/survival-sunglasses/

Keeping sunglasses as part of my standard equipment made so much sense that I bought (at a discount store) a few of those hardcases for glasses. They keep my sunglasses from getting broken no matter where they end up in my bag, although I want to secure the case to the outside of my pack.

Apart from sunglasses providing a potential tactical advantage by hiding your eyes, they also do a decent job of protecting your eyes from the sun, wind, dust, and even sparks or splinters if your are working with metal or wood.

Do most people have a dedicated spot for some type of sunglasses as part of their equipment?

by **Regulator** » Fri Jan 20, 2012 11:43 pm

I do. My eyes don't like bright sunlight much. Really bright can make me sneeze. I carry spare shades in my EDC, BOB, glove box and on the dash of my truck. Hard cased in the BOB.

by **Woods Walker** » Sat Jan 21, 2012 1:52 am

Yes. Good kit during both summer and winter. Here is a little sunglass use that sometimes goes unreported. Sunglasses provide relief from gnats that target your eyes.

by **Hermit** » Sat Jan 21, 2012 3:28 am

AnonEmous wrote:...

Apart from sunglasses providing a potential tactical advantage by hiding your eyes, they also do a decent job of protecting your eyes from the sun, wind, dust, and even sparks or splinters if your are working with metal or wood.

Do most people have a dedicated spot for some type of sunglasses as part of their equipment?

I do. My eyes are very sensitive to sunlight as well. I know it makes a big difference regarding fatigue levels when it comes to driving too. I'm a fan.

by **Sckitzo** » Sat Jan 21, 2012 3:46 am

Sunglasses have been a permanent part of my face since I was like 10, that AZ sun is brutal, I always keeps pairs spread through my gear.

by **TheFishinMagician** » Sat Jan 21, 2012 8:04 am

I never go anywhere without my sunglasses, or a cheap spare pair stashed away somewhere as a backup. Living in Florida makes that necessary.

I only buy cheap sunglasses that I wouldn't mind breaking or losing. That's a habit I got into when I owned my lawn service, because I'd go through a pair every couple of months. As long as they fit and look decent, I'm happy.

I only buy sunglasses that are UV-A and UV-B blocking, and polarized. The UV blocking is, obviously, to protect my peepers, and the polarized is so I can use them for fishing and other water activities, since they help you to "see underwater" (cut the surface glare so you can see further down into the water).

by **Winston Smith** » Sat Jan 21, 2012 8:37 am

Try walking in a heavy snowstorm without some sort of eye protection. Glasses of some sort are a must have

by **omega_man** » Sat Jan 21, 2012 10:39 am

I guess I never give it much thought, since grabbing my shades is in the same automated process where I grab my wallet, knife, hanky, and keys.

by **RickOShea** » Sat Jan 21, 2012 11:46 am

My company allows us to put up to $500 worth of sunglasses on our medical insurance every year, so long as they are ANSI safety rated. So I have several pairs of polarized Costas and Wileys and they come with a fairly decent clam-shell case.

by **Mampfies** » Sat Jan 21, 2012 2:46 pm

I snagged several pairs of the plastic roll-up dark glasses they give you after eye exams. Don't break, don't take up much room in bags or purses.

by **Scout308** » Sat Jan 21, 2012 3:33 pm

A critical component of my EDC. Although as I have gotten older my eyes have gotten a bit less light sensitive. I try to keep two sets on hand, lighter brown/copper for reducing haze and dark grey for when I'm on water/snow.

I also keep at least one pair of non polarized - work better with aircraft and motorcycle wind screens and helmets, also most LCD displays.

by **Niblick** » Sat Jan 21, 2012 5:47 pm

Ballistic shades are pretty much a must have to fit in with the cool infantry kids. My edc are Wiley X p17s and I have a Revision Sawfly military kit clipped onto the BOB. I like my outdoorsy eye pro to have interchangeable lenses. I wear clear lenses in the woods at night so I don't get poked in the peepers by branches and what not.

by **crypto** » Sat Jan 21, 2012 5:51 pm

RickOShea wrote: and they come with a fairly decent clam-shell case.

LOL yeah, I wont buy a pair that doesnt come with a reinforced padded taco anymore.

by **Kutter_0311** » Sat Jan 21, 2012 6:44 pm

I've been wearing tinted ANSI safety glasses for about 13(?) years. Way cheaper than the cool kid shades, and made to a protective standard. Not usually as 'cool looking' but not too far short, either. Many, many varieties to fit different faces. Motorcyclists are required to wear eye-pro here, and I was a machinist at the time, so it all naturally overlapped. Many styles are available in clear and tinted, so that makes day/night transition easier.

So, yeah, part of my EDC, with tons of spares lying around.

by **wee drop o' bush** » Sat Jan 21, 2012 6:56 pm

I have prescription sunglasses that I wear driving, unless it's actually dark.
I have a second pair that I keep with me in my bag

by **crypto** » Sat Jan 21, 2012 6:56 pm

Oh thats a good point. I bought the $3 harbor Freight tinted safety goggles by the dozen before.

I keep a couple pair in my range bag now in case new shooters dont have eyepro with them.

by **Niblick** » Sun Jan 22, 2012 4:49 am

Kutter_0311 wrote:I've been wearing tinted ANSI safety glasses for about 13(?) years. Way cheaper than the cool kid shades, and made to a protective standard. Not usually as 'cool looking' but not too far short, either. Many, many varieties to fit different faces. Motorcyclists are required to wear eye-pro here, and I was a machinist at the time, so it all naturally overlapped. Many styles are available in clear and tinted, so that makes day/night transition easier.

So, yeah, part of my EDC, with tons of spares lying around.

I hear ya, but when you're the straight outta basic FNG, you might spend $100 to try to fit in. At least I did anyway. Still got comments like; "oakleys are way better than wileys". A private can never win, such is the way of the world

by **aus.templar** » Sun Jan 22, 2012 6:41 am

After having laser eye surgery last year, my eyes are still sensitive to bright sunlight and sunny days can be painful without sunnies

by **wee drop o' bush** » Sun Jan 22, 2012 6:47 am

My eyes are sensitive to bright sunlight as well. When driving I have had to pull over as they've started watering badly because of bright sunlight. Sunnies solve that problem.

by **Kutter_0311** » Sun Jan 22, 2012 12:42 pm

Niblick wrote:"oakleys are way better than wileys". A private can never win, such is the way of the world

QFT, bro! I was lacking in the 'cool shades' area in the Philippines(where it is gawdawful hot and bright in the summer) so I bought some FOakleys(fake Oakleys) on the street for $7. Those survived long enough to gift to my roommate after that UDP. Amazing for cheap rip-offs I only bought as Hangover Helper :lol:

by **raptor** » Sun Jan 22, 2012 2:00 pm

I have needed glasses since I was 18. I always wear polycarbonate glasses and always have sunglasses with me. Sunglasses IMO are a vital tool.

I prefer polarized lenses that are brown or grey to reduce color distortion.

I also like mirror coatings for extreme sunlight conditions at the beach, on the water or in snow. I typically get mirrored glasses with side shields to maximize the sunlight protection.

by **RickOShea** » Sun Jan 22, 2012 2:24 pm

I usually go for the blue or greenish-blue polarized lenses. Everything still looks "bright and vivid", but cuts the harsh glare markedly.

by **PotatoMuncher** » Sun Jan 22, 2012 11:48 pm

I always have a pair of Half Jackets XLJ in my possession. US Standard Issue always makes them easy to buy.

by **Apollo-11** » Mon Jan 23, 2012 2:00 am

Mampfies wrote:I snagged several pairs of the plastic roll-up dark glasses they give you after eye exams. Don't break, don't take up much room in bags or purses.

This is a really good idea. I will keep the pair next time I get my eyes dialated.

The first time I went snow blind, I was absolutely flummoxed. Never could have believed it. I can handle summer sun OK.

My standard kit has a pair of tinted safety glasses in it with UV filtering. They stay in the truck in an anti-scratch cloth bag, to be transferred over to my go-bag if I leave the truck. I should find a hard case to fit them.